Panel highlights international connection through virtual programming  

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 20, 2024) Empire State University provides a unique opportunity for students to work across borders through virtual exchanges. These programs are organized with partner universities across the globe and bring together a cohort of students to focus on singular issues through specific courses and collaborate, providing a one-of-a-kind study-abroad experience. The benefit of these virtual exchanges was highlighted during a panel for International Education Week.  

The event was co-hosted by North-West University in South Africa. The panel featured a welcome from Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf and Dorothy Laubscher — UNESCO chair on multimodal learning and OER and associate professor at North-West University — and educators from Empire State University, University of Pretoria, State University of New York at Buffalo, SUNY Brockport, North-West University, and Rhodes University.  

“At an online university like SUNY Empire, we understand and deeply respect the importance of connecting with diverse voices around the world and meeting students all over the world where they are,” President Lisa Vollendorf said. “Education is the bridge that connects us all to each other through the exchange of knowledge and diverse perspectives, and collaborative research universities like ours and all those represented here today foster understanding and cooperation among students, faculty, staff, and humans from different backgrounds.”  

Empire State University’s international education program has 450 students representing 37 countries with partnership programs in Turkey, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Lebanon.  

The panel highlighted the benefits of digital storytelling through a book co-authored by Empire State University Professor Tom Mackey and Former Director of European Academic Programs Sheila Aird: “Teaching Digital Storytelling: Inspiring Voices Through Online Narratives.”  

The book connects digital storytelling and metaliteracy to the virtual exchange taught by Mackey, connecting students at SUNY Empire to students in Prague for a collaborative project. Mackey said promoting international education allows people to gain valuable perspectives in a global society and, as an online university, Empire State University has a unique opportunity to provide international online learning experiences that unite U.S. and international students.  

“Advancing metaliteracy and critical thinking across the globe is crucial to student success because it supports them in developing the abilities to be both reflective and collaborative,” Mackey said. “This is so important as students learn to critically analyze information in all forms, from text to digital media, and envision themselves as active producers of digital content. In my work at SUNY Empire, I’ve been developing and revising courses for our digital media arts program that prepare learners as individual and collaborative producers of new knowledge. In two of my courses, digital storytelling and ethics of digital art and design, I’ve designed collaborative learning activities with international faculty and students. In both courses, metaliteracy was key to this process and resulted in engaging and productive learning experiences.” 

Aird said their approach to digital storytelling is crucial to empowering learners and creating a successful collaborative environment.  

“It’s extremely key because, in our environment — whether virtual or otherwise — students work independently,” Aird said. “Bringing them into that space from the beginning allows them to connect, reach each other, and respond to each other. It brings a certain amount of autonomy to students, allowing them to be creative, and makes them work on a project together — from beginning to end — bringing in all the components.”  

Several other educators and contributors to the book from partner institutions provided insight into their chapters and the impact of digital storytelling on global connection.  

Graduate Student published in Confluence for hiking research 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 19, 2024) Karen Viola has always been drawn to maps and the idea of following pathways through land, envisioning a living story with twists and turns along the way. Viola explores her interests and the roots of land ownership and conservation along the Appalachian Trail in her essay “Not a Walk in the Park,” published in the fall edition of Confluence by the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP).  

“I am very honored to have my essay published in ‘Confluence,’” Viola said. “I hope that my writing inspires reflection and sparks conversation. I hope readers might take away what I have gained through my research both on and off the trail: a sense of reverence for the land on which we all live, work, and play.”  

Viola is enrolled in the master of arts in liberal studies program and designed her degree with Diane Gal, professor in the School for Graduate Studies, focusing on art as a tool for ecoliteracy.  

“This particular essay presented an opportunity to weave a real-time hiking journey into my studies and to have my research deepen with the meaning of my time on the trial,” Viola said. “Ultimately, this provided me with a more authentic, personal framing for the essay. On a larger scale, this is what I appreciate about Empire State University’s MALS program, that is allows students to integrate their life and work experiences with academic research which I believe is an immeasurable benefit to students as well as their wider communities.”  

The essay is part of Viola’s individualized study on outdoor conservation through a course called “Outdoor Recreation and Conservation: past, present, and future.” In this class, she researched land ownership from pre-to-post colonial times, the origins of trail blazing, conservation, regional planning, recreation, education, wilderness preserves, and national and state parks along the Appalachian Trail.  

“Surveying these topics was foundational for taking a deeper dive with this essay into our long-overdue reckoning with the fact that all our parks and trails twist and turn through violently stolen lands,” Viola said. “The essay also delves into the ethical principle of ‘leave no trace’ and its efficacy for pro-environmental behaviors, that there is more to be done to call out the hidden, externalized costs of the consumer-driven outdoor recreation industry.”  

Viola’s interest in exploring paths and hiking began when she started exploring different hiking paths while raising her family in Westchester, New York with wooded parks and preserves nearby.  

“I’ve always loved maps and been drawn to the idea of following trails and pathways through the land, like walking through a living story with all its twists and turns,” Viola said. “The more joy and health benefits hiking and backpacking brought to me, the more I cared about protecting biodiversity and the more aware I grew of the lack of human diversity on the trail, not to mention the problematic explosion of expensive high-tech gear which I enjoy as much as any other hiker.”  

Viola has logged over 900 miles on the Appalachian Trail, beginning her journey in 2009; and through her journey she witnessed a lack of diversity and lack of access to different trails but that, as time went on, said she is slowly seeing improvements.  

“I have hiked solo, with a friend, with a group, and each way offers its own lessons,” Viola said. “Women and people of color on the trail are not as scarce as in the past, but I only ever see white faces up in the high huts of the aptly named White Mountains of New Hampshire, and I am one of them. Trail access to all is a work in progress.”  

SUNY Empire’s opportunity programs see largest enrollment on record 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 15, 2024) Empire State University’s opportunity programs currently serve over 1,000 students, the largest number in program history. The growth and expansion of these programs, bringing access to affordable and flexible online higher education, is only just beginning.  

Dana Brown, senior director of enrichment and opportunity programs, said Empire State University’s journey into opportunity programs began with the Empire State Opportunity Program in 2020, which was expanded to include students across the state during the pandemic. 

“In that first semester, we saw a huge shift in retention amongst that cohort,” Brown said. “We added thirty more students to the program, and we had over 100 students that started in cohort one.”  

Brown said the program’s success paved the way for successfully applying for the educational opportunity program, which launched in 2021. Both efforts led to noticeable increases in student retention, leading Brown and her team to examine what was keeping students enrolled at SUNY Empire and how to continue the success.  

“The question was: are students being retained because of the financial support they are receiving, or is it the social, emotional connection they are making with staff and faculty?” Brown said.  

That led to the creation of another opportunity program modeled after peer and faculty support, as opposed to financial: the Empire Promise program. Other programs were also added, including the Presidential Scholars program and Military Veteran Opportunity Program, which are modeled after the Empire Promise Program.  

“We identify students who qualified based on data that shows certain populations that are underserved at this institution,” Brown said. “Those programs are really our institution’s way of saying that we are not going to allow groups of students to go underserved and so those programs modeled that.”  

Brown said seeing the success of each program and consistent growth in enrollment and retention is a testament to the legacy of her career, these students, and the narrative of higher education in the future.  

“It shifts the culture, it shifts the story and the narrative for their life, and it changes the legacy for them,” Brown said. “I think my goal is always impact and experience for students, where they feel like they belong.”  

Brown said the focus on community and belonging differentiates Empire State University’s opportunity programs, putting student support at the forefront of their mission.  

“Everybody needs a group of people that will rally around you at the end of the marathon and say you can do it when you haven’t found the strength in yourself to get to the finish line,” Brown said. “Somehow, when your friends are cheering for you, you find it within yourself to go okay, I can make it and get to the end.”  

SUNY Empire student premiered docuseries on breast cancer and healthcare inequity  

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 14, 2024) Serrina Goodman is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and student at Empire State University using her knowledge to educate others on community disparities, inequities, and the unique perspectives of those around her. Goodman premiered her latest documentary, “Travelin’ Pink — The Selene’ Ward Journey,” in June. The film explores the journey of a black woman and her experience with health care disparities, misdiagnosis, and her desire to live and help others.  

The subject of Goodman’s documentary was personal. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago and now works with the AfroSHARE Cancer Support Group, a 40-year non-profit organization, to help spread awareness of health care disparity, the need for early detection, and the symptoms and signs of breast cancer in medically disadvantaged communities.  

“All of the work that I have done is extremely important and meaningful to me,” Goodman said. “My current project ‘Travelin’ Pink’ will be traveling across the nation to expose health care disparity and the lack of quality cancer care for all, and feature health care facilities who are doing stellar work.”  

Goodman has produced other films, a television show, and other media all under the umbrella of her own production company, Savvy 1 Productions, and led workforce development workshops, all to provide resources to underrepresented communities. During the pandemic, she created a virtual gun violence prevention program encouraging young adults to focus more on career development, developed a weekly webinar for employment resources, and created “The Business of Marriage,” a podcast designed for couples who want to learn more about the best path in their relationships through expert and guest interviews.  

Her work has always centered on the idea of fostering community development and encouraging others to work against health care disparities among women and patients of color in the medical community.  

“I often share my breast cancer journey at events all over New York and as the Brooklyn coordinator for the AfroSHARE Cancer support division. The tasks are monumental but saving lives keeps me going,” Goodman said. “Many people suffer from ‘the white coat syndrome,’ where the patient is intimidated by the physician and neglects to ask the pertinent questions that are required for them to understand their health. Quite often this intimidation leads to minimal involvement in their treatment plan.” 

Goodman studies business management and economics at Empire State University and has over two decades of experience working in workforce development and media. Goodman said SUNY Empire’s prior learning assessment allowed her to use her work experience to earn college credits. Upon her graduation, Goodman hopes to use her education and skills to further her production company and expand her work, including filming part of her tour for her “Travelin’ Pink” documentary.  

“Once I graduate, it will increase my presence at the table,” Goodman said. “I will expand my production company and hire additional staff, start a non-profit and expand my client based, and explore other projects while completing my docuseries.”  

Empire State University Applauds Governor Hochul’s Expansion of Veterans Tuition Awards Program

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 14, 2024) Empire State University celebrates Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to sign into law legislation that expands the Veterans Tuition Awards Program to non-combat military veterans residing in New York.  

Empire State University proudly serves more than 1,000 military-affiliated students, the most in the State University of New York system. By expanding the Veterans Tuition Award to include non-combat military veterans in New York state, more people will now have access to affordable education.  

Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf said, “All veterans should be afforded the same opportunity to attend college, regardless of where they were stationed or the mission they served. This legislation is an important step to accomplishing this goal and creating more equitable pathways to higher education for those who have served our country. Thank you to Governor Hochul, State Senator Scarcella-Spanton, Assembly Member Buttenschon, and the members of the state legislature for their support of this legislation.” 

Director of Veteran and Military Education Desiree Drindak said, “SUNY Empire’s veteran student population predominately does not use or qualify for VA benefits, so this legislation will provide valuable financial support and will allow students to pursue their educational goals. It is a well-deserved financial benefit that will positively impact our veteran students. ” 

Visit Empire State University’s website for more information on the Veteran and Military Resource Center or learn more about our Military and Veteran Opportunity Program.  

76-year-old student embraces military and veteran opportunity program to earn degree

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 12, 2024) Above all things, Barbara Fitzpatrick is motivated by curiosity and what she calls an insatiable appetite to learn new things. Now, at 76 years old, Fitzpatrick is earning her degree at Empire State University at the same time as her college-aged grandchildren.  

Fitzpatrick chose SUNY Empire because of the university’s flexibility and ability to accommodate learners of all ages outside of a traditional classroom setting. She took advantage of the military and veteran opportunity program as a military spouse of a disabled veteran.  

“A dean I once worked for believed in lifelong learning, which I took to heart,” Fitzpatrick said. “I was really looking for a university. This seemed like a perfect fit. The choice of degrees available is staggering to me, I want them all.”  

Fitzpatrick said the resources offered by Empire State University, including a mentor and summer institute, gave her the support she needed to continue her education after being away from academia for some time and now, needing to adjust to a virtual learning environment. 

“The opportunity programs’ summer institute was intensive and necessary for those like me,” Fitzpatrick said. “I learned how to live chat, to share, to listen and to be heard. Hearing and sharing with other students made me feel connected to a class, I hope to stay connected to them.”  

Outside of academia, Fitzpatrick has dedicated her life to community organizations, supporting her husband and country in the military community, and holding jobs in different industries from real estate, sales, insurance, and managing her own business. She is a member of the Islip Arts Council and enjoys painting and working with beach glass and crafts. She has also received certificates of appreciation by the Suffolk County Legislature, The News of Suffolk County newspaper, The Town of Islip for Women’s History Month, and the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce.  

As she works to earn her degree now, she hopes to grow closer to her grandchildren who are also working to earn their degrees at the same time.  

“This is bonding in a different way,” Fitzpatrick said. “We have baked together, gone to different events, they helped me at the park selling raffle tickets, I went to their games and concerts. Now, I get to talk about ordering books, how to answer chats, and when to do homework. Most of all, I loved telling Molly, a sophomore, that I would transfer next year and be her roommate. Oh my, that was fun.”  

Empire State University welcomes students at Fall Student Conference  

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(ALBANY, NY — NOVEMBER 8, 2024) Empire State University welcomed students to Albany, New York for the 2024 Fall Student Conference on November 1-2, 2024. The conference brought in-person programming on artificial intelligence, resources for student success, and an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to meet face-to-face.  

President Lisa Vollendorf and Provost Rai Kathuria kicked off the conference by participating in a fireside chat detailing their journey to higher education administration and their passion for the future of Empire State University.  

President Lisa Vollendorf explained her path from Spanish language professor to leadership roles in the academic senate, dean, and provost at previous institutions to now president at Empire State University.  

“I like building, I like listening, and I like learning,” Vollendorf said. “I also know what I’m not good at, and I know to surround myself with people who have skills that are different. That piece is important as one transitions through jobs or careers—the ability to learn from people around us and hire people who truly bring diversity to a whole group.”  

Provost Rai Kathuria detailed a different transition: from scientific research to leading the Office of Academic Affairs. 

“When I came to higher education, my motivation was fixing the problems in front of me,” Kathuria said. “That drove me to administration and one thing led to another, so I think the takeaway here is to be open to change, take chances and opportunities that are beyond you.” 

Keynote Address: Future Proofing Your Education 

Claire Brady, president of Glass Half Full Consulting, presented the keynote address titled “Future Proofing Your Education: AI Skills for College & Beyond.” Brady is nationally recognized for her work adopting artificial intelligence and specializes in helping organizations using artificial intelligence to boost efficiency and create more meaningful human connections.  

Brady’s presentation discussed AI’s role in personalizing learning and fostering critical thinking, particularly in educational and professional settings.  

“Students are here at the cusp of an amazing time and this kind of transformation that’s happening in our workforce isn’t just happening to you, it’s happening with you and through you,” Brady said. “So, you have an ability to have a voice and have impact on global issues.”  

Student Awards 

Several students were recognized at the Empire State University Art Awards. Caleb Rubright, a visual arts student, was awarded first place for “Wild Horses.” Leighanne Jaronczyk, who is working toward a master’s degree in educational technology and learning design, took second place for “Must Have Been the Roses,” and Scotia Craver took third place for “Ab Ovo.”  

The semi-annual Blue Bird Award was also given out to Jennifer Edwards, Jason Fishner, Jessica Nivens, Sarah Gregory, and Alyx Arslanian.  

Inside the Bodega 

To create an immersive experience for this year’s student conference, Empire State University’s marketing team created a bodega from scratch, using Spanish-language, interactive products, free giveaways, and other interactive tools to engage with students and bring together parts of New York’s culture.  

“A bodega is what really brings a neighborhood together and brings people together, and it’s a place where you can find comfort when you need something,” Douglas Gruse, director of marketing, said. “So, for us, let’s celebrate that with our students and bring in lots of elements of fun.”  

The bodega includes standard products you might find mixed with SUNY Empire’s values of hard work, flexibility, and student success.  

Colleen Craven, graphic designer, said the team found inspiration from their own neighborhoods and then blended it with the university’s brand and colors to create a community hub for SUNY Empire.  

“It really feels like an Empire State University bodega to bring in what we’ve already done with something completely new, fresh, and exciting,” Craven said.  

Photos from the event can be found on MediaValet.

Ed.D. student invited to White House, highlighting National Partnership for Student Success  

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 7, 2024) Danielle Emeny’s work with the National Partnership for Student Success is reaching beyond the State University of New York campuses. Emeny, a student in Empire State University’s Doctor of Education program, was recently invited to the White House by President Biden and Vice President Harris to celebrate the success of that partnership and paint the way forward for educational equity across the country.  

The National Partnership for Student Success is a public-private partnership led by the U.S. Department of Education, AmeriCorps, and Johns Hopkins University, that focuses on evidence-based student support. The partnership connects school districts with local, state, and federal agencies and resources while connecting students to community and service-oriented activities. Emeny helped pilot the program at SUNY Upstate as a member of their professional staff, in collaboration with staff at SUNY Onondaga Community College and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.  

“Together, we organized our student employees into federal work study positions that meet the National Partnership for Student Success goals such as tutoring, post-secondary education coaching, and several other categories,” Emeny said.  

Emeny was able to organize partnerships with NYS GEARUP, OnPoint for College, the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association, the Higher Education Services Corporation, Reading Buddies, Book Buddies, and United Way. Their involvement has increased the number of adult volunteers in pre-school through grade 12 settings and increased federal work study spending to 15 percent towards community service.  

Educational equity is at the center of Emeny’s personal, professional, and academic goals. At Empire State University, Emeny is working toward a Doctor of Education degree and focusing on research surrounding graduate students with disabilities in higher education. This is a personal mission for Emeny, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2022 shortly before her studies began.  

“This changed how my brain processed data as well as nearly obliterated my ability to read printed text,” Emeny said. “Fortunately, I can read for short periods of time on a computer if the text is inverted white on a black background, but this sudden shift in my adult life made me realize that accessible does not necessarily mean equal. I wish to focus on this topic to make sure that other students who need support services can get services that are useful in a timely fashion and to make accessibility mean access.” 

Emeny also represented SUNY as the system was recognized for having the highest campus involvement across the partnership, with 14 campuses under the coalition. As this work continues, Emeny said she hopes to bring the program to other campuses and bring financial resources to other students that could help keep them in school.  

Emeny said they are planning events for next fall to connect grade school students with college resources and possible opportunities at SUNY Upstate, OCC, and ESF as well as other SUNY campuses.  

“This will need to be a multi-day event where programs of study and trade options will be showcased to the students based on their interests indicated in the initial intake survey,” Emeny said. “I am in the process of working on few grant applications now to make that hope a reality.”  

Emeny said these events and connecting students to resources before they graduate high school can help connect students to career options closely linked to their interests, something Emeny believes could help her community in Syracuse in particular.  

“With more students graduating and having a sense of purpose and wrap-around services such as tutoring, mentoring, and access to additional evidence-based supports, it is our hope to pull the district and city out of its poverty cycle,” Emeny said.  

Empire State University honors heroes in Veteran’s Month event 

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — NOVEMBER 4, 2024) Empire State University’s Veteran and Military Resource Center honored veteran and active-duty members of the university community, commemorating their service and the beginning of Veteran’s Month on Nov. 1, 2024.  

“To the students honored here today, and truly, all our veteran and military students, I deeply admire your courage and tenacity, as well as your commitment to the nation, your education, your families, your jobs, and your communities. Your commitment to growth is truly inspiring,” Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf said.  

The “Honoring Our Heroes” event welcomed guests from the New York State Department of Veterans Services, the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans and Community Housing Coalition, the Veterans Business Council, and the Montgomery County Health Department, in addition to leadership, faculty, and staff at Empire State University.  

The ceremony commemorated new banners displayed in front of Empire State University’s buildings on West Avenue in Saratoga Springs, NY, showing the faces of SUNY Empire’s heroes: active duty and military veterans who are an integral part of the university and its commitment to serving military-affiliated populations. Students were nominated by mentors and staff across the university and were selected by a committee. In addition to the nominated students, those on the Wall of Honor, students who were nominated to tell their stories at the VMRC’s launch in 2023, were also honored.  

“I am so proud to be doing the work that I do every single day in service to our military and veteran students and their families,” Desiree Drindak, director of the Veteran and Military Resource Center, said. “I appreciate all of you for your dedication to our communities and commitment to our country. We are honored the celebrate you.” 

The university is home to over 1,000 military-affiliated students and the Veteran and Military Resource Center, a dedicated hub for military-affiliated students and staff to seek peer support, resources, and hear about opportunities for affordable and flexible education whether you are transitioning into civilian life or active-duty. Since 1971, the university has served more than 3,800 military-affiliated students. Empire State University serves more military-affiliated students than any other SUNY institution.  

“Empire State University has a unique role to play in the future of our state and in the future of our country,” President Lisa Vollendorf said. “My dream is that we elevate that role to be in service to more veterans, more active-duty military, and to the families of the military—folks who are giving their lives, their time, and their effort toward helping our country remain safe and secure.” 

Meet the Honorees 

  • Gabriel Cerda, Army  
  • Michael Donnan ‘21, ‘23, Army. Wall of Honor student.  
  • Daniel Heffernan, Army 
  • Robin Hodges ‘22, Navy 
  • Harold Jimenez, Army. Wall of Honor student. 
  • Xavier Mantock ‘23, Army. Wall of Honor student. 
  • Joshua Jones, Marines 
  • Juan Martinez Rojas ‘24, Army. Wall of Honor student.   
  • Eric Mazzeo, Marines 
  • Laroy Nelson ‘24, Army  
  • Htein Naing, Space Force  
  • Richard Pangborn, Army  
  • Gloria Reed, Army  
  • Kassondra Roach, Navy. Wall of Honor student.  
  • Andrew Taber, Army  

Photos from the ceremony can be found on MediaValet.  

SUNY Empire Spotlight: Oct. 2024

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(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — OCTOBER 30, 2024) The latest news on research efforts, awards, grants, and media appearances from Empire State University faculty and staff.  

Luis Camacho, assistant professor in the School of Business, was recognized with the “Excellent and Distinguished Academic and Scientist Friend of the Universidad de Orienta Award” in San Miguel, El Savador on October 5, 2024.  

Valeri Chukhlomin, professor in the School of Business, published “AI-Driven Strategies for Local Businesses in the Global Economy: SUNY Microcredential in Advanced Artificial Intelligence for Economic and Business Analysis” with Upward Mobility Books.  

Michelle Eades-Baird, associate professor in the School for Graduate Studies, and Dan Nyaronga, professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, published “Psychological, Informational, and Material Factors Impacting Girls’ Menstruation-related School Absenteeism in Rural Tanzania” in the East African Journal of Education Studies.  

Karis Jones, assistant professor in the School for Graduate Studies, published “Fandoms in the Classroom.” The book, published with Myers Education Press, examines how to keep school-aged children more engaged in the classroom using their interests and roleplay to reimagine education.  

Elise Kermani, adjunct professor, screened four films at The Center for Performance Research in Brooklyn, New York on October 13, 2024. Kermani’s films use mythology to tell stories with different perspectives, often incorporating artistic dance and music.  

Maureen Kroning, interim dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health, delivered a keynote address at the New York Community College Trustees (NYCCT) 70th annual conference. Kroning was asked to speak because of her impactful research on the nationwide nursing shortage, community health, and how New York State legislation can help.  

Tom Mackey, professor in the School of Arts and Humanities, co-edited “Teaching Digital Storytelling: Inspiring Voices Through Online Narratives,” with Dr. Sheila Aird, former director of European Programs. Aird and Mackey also co-authored a chapter on framing. The book emerged from their co-teaching of Digital Storytelling, a legacy course at Empire State University that was revised as a virtual exchange between students in the U.S. and in Prague, Czech Republic. Mackey was also the keynote speaker for the XI Simposio Internacional, organized by the University of Magdalena in Santa Marta, Colombia. The conference focused on challenges and opportunities with artificial intelligence in education.  

Raul Manzano, visiting assistant professor in the School of Arts and Humanities, received a merit award for “Between Good and Evil,” an oil painting, at the 2024 Center for Contemporary Arts National Juried Art Competition in Abilene, Texas.  

Jenny Mincin, associate professor in the School for Graduate Studies, was invited to the editorial board for the “Palgrave studies in Disaster and Emergency Management.” The journal provides state-of-the-art summaries of the field of disaster science and emergency management. The series aims to transfer evidence-based scholarship that enables researchers, practitioners, and students to impact science, practice, and policies. Each volume addresses social and global inequities in an effort to reduce human suffering. The series sets an agenda for future research, policy, and practice interventions needed to move scholarship and emergency management forward. The Board is currently soliciting proposals for short volumes or authored monographs and edited collections that address critical topics of concern worldwide. Mincin plans to contribute to the series as well.  

Shaun Richman, program director in the School of Arts and Humanities, published “Misjudging Labor” in The New York Review. 

Jason Russell, professor in the School of Graduate Studies, was named an external faculty associate of the Global Labor Research Center at York University in Toronto, Canada.  

Gayle Stever, professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, published a new book “Parasocial Experiences: Psychological Theory and Application” with co-author David Giles. The book, published with Oxford University Press, presents a combination of theoretical and applied approaches to parasocial relationships.  

Lynette Stewart, associate professor in the School of Human Services, was named to “The Qualitative Report” editorial board. Stewart will help carry out the journal’s editorial mission, provide guidance and mentorship to new authors, and review manuscripts along with a team of academic peers and editors.  

Nan Travers, director of the Center for Leadership in Credentialing Learning, co-presented “Miles to Go: The Journey of Credential As You Go” at the 2024 Convergence: Credential Innovation in Higher Education in New Orleans, Louisiana.  

President Lisa Vollendorf published an Op-Ed on autism-supportive education on the Presidents Forum. Vollendorf discussed Empire State University’s work as an autism-supportive institution and encouraged other university leaders to examine their systems and see how they can better serve learners of all backgrounds and expand access to higher education. 

Melissa Wells, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, authored an issue of the National Association of Special Education Teachers “The Practical Teacher,” “Supporting Students with Disabilities in Transitional Services: Advocating for Post-Secondary Success.”  

Melissa Wells, Christine Paige, executive director of Empire Online, Winifred Storms, Interim Coordinator of UG Academic Advising Services, Shannon Pritting, director of library services, open and digital learning assets, and Associate Provost Robert Sanders presented “From the Ground Up: Care and Collaboration through Access and Affordability” at the 86th Annual Association for Continuing Higher Education Conference on October 15, 2024.